Alexis Mabille

THE boys might have been missing from Alexis Mabille's autumn/winter 2009-10 couture show (the designer made his solo menswear debut at the men's shows in Paris last week), but elegance, grace and a gorgeous pastel colour palette of nude, peach, gold, aqua, dusky pink and egg shell blue certainly weren't.

Lace-laden looks varied from floral brocade waistcoats worn over chiffon playsuits edged in waves of golden beads, to structured black and navy tailoring given the Mabille touch - with trails of feathers and ribbons flowing frivolously down their front. The designer's signature bow detail came nestled on sashes at the waists of prom frocks, delicate sheer day dresses and at the ankles of elegant strappy shoes in black, cerulean and indigo.

Trousers came with lace inserts down the leg while collars were plumped up like presents with projected layers of lace and frills. An innovative take on the traditional wedding dress came via the last look – a black tuxedo, a white shirt with a floral bow tie and a blue-to-black veil.